Assistant Professor of Music Theory and Composition

Title : Assistant Professor of Music Theory and Composition -

Position Number :

Unit / Department : Music

FTE : Full-Time, 9 month

Salary : Commensurate with qualifications and experience

Department Summary :

Drake University’s Department of Music (School of Fine Arts) is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music. The Music Department’s mission is to provide a center for the study and understanding of music that develops students’ intellectual, practical, and expressive abilities by emphasizing professional preparation, collaborative learning, critical thinking, and musical communication. Drake University seeks to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff.

Drake offers the best of both worlds : a department that is large enough to support a vast range of musical activities, but small enough that students receive highly personal attention. We pride ourselves on providing big-school opportunities in a small-school environment, and our graduates are well-trained and well-rounded musicians who are highly competitive in a wide range of vocational fields.

For more about the Department, visit : .

Job Summary :

Primary responsibilities include teaching the required courses in the undergraduate theory sequence, particularly advanced tonal and post-tonal theory and composition. Additional responsibilities include overseeing the music theory curriculum, advising senior theses for the B.A. (Music) degree in the areas of theory and / or composition, and teaching specialized seminars or courses currently offered by the department (e.g., orchestration, structure and design, composition lessons) and / or within the candidate’s area of expertise. Secondary areas of specialization may include music technology, pedagogy of theory, and / or music industry and administration.

Faculty are expected to contribute via service at the department, college, and university levels.

The successful candidate will be expected to work closely with colleagues, and to assume an active role in the advisement and retention of music students. The candidate must demonstrate both commitment to and a record of successful teaching at the University level. The candidate will provide evidence of and an agenda for pursuing scholarly and / or creative achievement at the regional and national level or beyond.

This appointment begins in August 2026.

Minimum Qualifications :

Those with either a DMA, Ph.D. or ABD are welcome to apply.

Special Instructions to Applicants :

To apply, please complete the online application and attach : (1) a cover letter, (2) CV / Resume, (3) statement of teaching philosophy, (4) a statement about your experience in supporting the success of students from diverse backgrounds, and (5) contact information for three references.

Please do not attach additional documents at this time. Supplemental documents may be requested or required of finalists.

All job offers are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background check, satisfactory reference checks, and proof of work authorization.

Link to application :

Have Questions?

Questions about this position can be directed to the search chair : Nicholas Roth at

Questions about the application process, working at Drake, spouse / partner support, reasonable accommodations, benefits, or additional information about Drake or Des Moines, Iowa may be directed to Drake Human Resources at .

Review of Applications Begins :

For full consideration, please apply by October 5, 2025. The position will remain posted until filled.

Salary and Benefits :

Salary is competitive with peer schools and will be commensurate with qualifications and experience of the selected candidate.

At Drake, we are proud to offer our employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents a comprehensive benefits package, which includes a wide range of core benefits, perks, and discounts. If you are exploring a job with Drake University, we invite you to spend a little time

with our digital benefits guide : Drake Benefits Guide (Plan Year 2025) .

One of our very popular policies provides a tuition waiver for Drake employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents. Drake also participates in two tuition exchange programs available to dependent children. You can learn about both the tuition waiver policy and tuition exchange programs here : Tuition Benefits .

For faculty positions, selection will depend on the receipt of recommendation confirming the candidate's scholarly achievements and teaching abilities and / or on the candidate's satisfactory passing of a teaching demonstration if selected for an on-campus interview. For staff positions, selection will depend upon careful review of each applicant’s references, education, and, if applicable, experience.

About Drake :

Drake University is recognized as a top private university in the Midwest. Drake is a midsize university in Des Moines, Iowa, with an increasingly diverse student body. We are deeply committed to equity and inclusion and creating a sense of belonging for all members of the campus community—faculty, staff, and students alike. More than 900 faculty and staff are part of the Bulldog pack, a close-knit group of colleagues enthusiastic about preparing students to be global citizens and leaders, challenging assumptions. Drake University is not only an outstanding institution of higher learning, it is also a wonderful place to work. We are enthusiastically committed to welcoming new ideas and people into the fold, and to retaining and rewarding stellar employees.

All positions at Drake provide opportunities to contribute to Drake University’s core mission of creating an exceptional learning environment that prepares students of all backgrounds for meaningful lives and professional accomplishments.

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion at Drake :

At Drake University, we don’t just accept differences—we celebrate them, we support them, and we thrive on them for the benefit of our students, our employees, and our community. Drake University is proud to support an equal opportunity, diverse, inclusive, and welcoming workplace. In fact, the celebration of diversity and inclusion are embedded in our Core Values . Learn more about our DEI commitment and efforts here .

We welcome applicants of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. If you are a member of a socially or historically underrepresented or marginalized group or you have actively demonstrated a commitment to diversity and inclusion, we strongly encourage you to apply. If you are a member of one of the equity groups identified by applicable law, we encourage you to self-identify, where requested in our online application system.

Drake University is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations in its services, programs, activities, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities. If you would benefit from an accommodation at any point in the recruitment process (including using our online application process), please contact Drake Human Resources (ph : ; e : ) and let us know how we can assist you.

At Drake University, we highly value a diverse, inclusive workforce. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We stand firmly against discrimination including on the basis of race, color, national origin, creed, religion, age, disability, sex, pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.